Online communication tools that facilitate interaction of participants in a virtual community and th

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Online communication tools that facilitate
interaction of participants in a virtual
community and their role in language learning
Teresa Almeida d'Eça TESOL 2003 "Hearing Every
Voice" Baltimore, 26 March 2003
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• So far. . . and yet so close!

Baltimore, 26 March 2003
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• Communications center

MESSAGES (email)
CHAT (YMessenger)
Files
Calendar
Photos
Database
Members
Links
Baltimore, 26 March 2003
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• Two main forms of communication used by WiA
• asynchronous email on daily basis through group
  list
• synchronous chat on weekly basis at
• Tapped In
• Yahoo Messenger
• Wimba Voice Direct

Baltimore, 26 March 2003
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• Tapped In (www.tappedin.org)
• international community of education
  professionals
• text-only chat platform
• Webheads weekly Sunday chat at 1200 GMT
• no fixed agenda
• explore and test tools
• show sites of interest
• make presentations to the group
• take part in online conferences
• discuss curricular topics with students
• have fun and socialize

Baltimore, 26 March 2003
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• Yahoo Messenger (messenger.yahoo.com)
• the '4 in 1' tool practice of the four basic
  skills
• through
• the '3 in 1' mode text audio video

Baltimore, 26 March 2003
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• Advantages of (a)synchronous communication for
  EFL/ESL
• emphasis on 'communication' and 'authentic
  language'
• 'real' world, 'real' people, (not in) 'real' time
• intensive practice of L2

Baltimore, 26 March 2003
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• Effects on the language learning process
• added value
• student-centered
• intense language practice
• interaction with people beyond students' usual
  range
• collaborative and cooperative tasks team work,
  mutual support and guidance
• motivation, excitement and enrichment
• interactions at 4 different levels broader
  horizons
• student-to-student
• teacher-to-student
• mentor/expert-to-student
• student-to-materials/artifacts

Baltimore, 26 March 2003
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• practice comunicative skills
• carrying on a conversation, interviewing,
  negotiating meaning
• gain technological skills computer literacy
• practice social skills
• greeting, introducing yourself, leave taking,
  turn taking
• gain transferable skills skills relevant to the
  world of work
• group work, personal, interpersonal and
  organizational skills

Baltimore, 26 March 2003
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• Disadvantages of synchronous (chat) communication
• for EFL/ESL
• oversimplified language (f2f - gr8 - oic - ur)
• time zones need for time management
• limitations to number of participants need for
  groups
• technical problems may occur and cause
  disruptions
• conflicts between operating systems
• limitations of connection speeds
• audio video system crash ?

Baltimore, 26 March 2003
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• Conclusions
• Chat and email contribute to
• practice of authentic language
• community building
• professional development
• fascination, excitement and enrichment in L2
  learning
• fun, healthy socializing, mutual support, strong
  personal and professional bonds
• and allow 'hearing every voice'!

Baltimore, 26 March 2003